Rising since 1985, #1,699 for boys today.
Popularity of Niall since 1955
Babies named Niall per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 24 |
| 1960s | 68 |
| 1970s | 101 |
| 1980s | 140 |
| 1990s | 335 |
| 2000s | 327 |
| 2010s | 576 |
| 2020s | 523 |
Meaning & origin
Niall is a traditionally Irish name that has seen a steady rise in use in the United States, particularly since the 1980s. It first appeared on U.S. records in 1955 and reached its peak rank in 2024 at 1699. The name has a strong cultural connection to Ireland, reflected in its top states of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, which have notable Irish-American populations. The trajectory from 1985 onward has been consistently upward, indicating growing appreciation for this classic yet distinctive choice.
Niall is an Irish name of uncertain derivation. It may be related to the Old Irish 'níad' meaning 'champion' or to 'nél' meaning 'cloud'. The name was borne by Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary High King of Ireland from the 5th century. It has been used in Ireland continuously and gained international recognition through figures like the musician Niall Horan.
Where Niall is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Niall” around the world
Where Niall lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
19
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nialler, Nidge
Sibling names for Niall
Names that share Niall's style, for a brother or sister.
